Welcome to Texas on the Potomac’s “afternoon final.” Every weekday, we will bring you three sets of news links, starting with a morning summary of top Texas headlines, national stories and Texas political blog posts. We’ll update at midday update with some of the top political stories that are making waves. And we’ll give you an “afternoon final” giving you something to talk about at the dinner table. As always, feel free to e-mail us with link suggestions.

1. The Congressional Budget Office said that extending the Bush tax cuts would result in increases to the federal deficit, which could lead to a “precarious fiscal situation by 2020,” The Washington Post reported Friday.

2. Scientists are saying that the Obama administration’s claim that most of the oil has been removed or dispersed from the Gulf is wrong, and the White House is taking heat in the wake of the news. Politico>>>

3. Those who seek a portion of the $20 billion claims fund BP set up for the people and businesses affected by the oil spill will likely waive their right to sue BP and the other defendants involved in the spill. The New York Times>>>

4. President Obama and his family are on vacation in Martha’s Vineyard. CNN>>>

5. Though politicians are not always viewed as the most trustworthy people in American society, a company conducted a study which said that Washington &#151 the city where politicians work and play &#151 is actually the second most honest city in the country. USA Today>>>